Lando Norris says he will make changes to his approach in his world championship battle with Max Verstappen.
The British driver was controversially demoted from third to fourth at the US Grand Prix in Austin last weekend after being handed a five-second penalty for gaining an advantage by running off the track to pass Verstappen in the closing stages – at the end of a thrilling battle between the title protagonists.
McLaren felt Verstappen forced Norris off the track and suggested it was a regular move deployed by the Dutchman when defending.
Norris arrives in Mexico City with the gap to Verstappen having grown to 57 points with only five races remaining and 146 points up for grabs. The 24-year-old continues to believe his penalty was unfair but admits he may need to do things differently when he goes wheel-to-wheel with his title rival.
“Do I need to make some changes? Yes. I still need to adapt a little bit more,” Norris said. “Is everything I am doing wrong? That’s a no. It is a tough position to be in.
“Max did not care if he won or was second or third. His only job was to beat me and he did that. He did a good job from his side. He ended up on top and I need to be beating him so some little things that I need to change. I don’t need to change my whole approach.
“I have not spoken to Max at all. He did what he thought was right and I did what I thought was right. As a team we still disagree and I think the majority of people who were watching disagreed with the penalty that I got. I will make the changes that I need to make whether it’s being more aggressive at times or less aggressive, I will do what I think is right.”
Sergio Pérez admits he has had a “terrible season” as speculation continues over his future at Red Bull. The Mexican is eighth in the drivers’ standings – 204 points behind teammate Max Verstappen – and his highest finish in the last 13 races is sixth.
Red Bull are under pressure to hold on to their constructors’ crown, having lost the lead to McLaren – who are now 40 points clear – and seen Ferrari pull to within eight. That has increased the need for Pérez to contribute more points in support of drivers’ championship leader Verstappen over the remaining races.
The 34-year-old, who finished seventh in Austin, is hopeful that a positive result at his home race in Mexico this weekend can be the catalyst for a strong end to the season.
“I know I have had a terrible season. It started really well but it has been really difficult for me,” Perez said. “If I get a strong result, it can definitely change my season massively, I am really up for it.
“Having Ferrari there does not change anything, we want to win the constructors, finishing second and third is no difference. We want to win it and for that we need both cars with the best possible performance and best possible package.”
The return of New Zealander Liam Lawson, who has replaced Daniel Ricciardo at sister team RB after a successful spell last season, has heightened speculation over Pérez’s position. Red Bull’s team principal Christian Horner said Lawson looked like a “veteran” as he finished ninth in his first race back for RB in Austin last weekend.
Pérez, who only signed a new deal with the team in June, says he is focused on his own performances and wants to end his wait for a podium. “Momentum in F1 is very important,” Pérez added. “If I get a good one here, then the season can take a huge turn. The most important thing is that I feel comfortable in the car. At the moment we are unable to unlock the full potential of the car.
“I feel that we are working towards solving it. We are heading in the right direction. This is Formula One, sometimes the results are not coming, you have to keep your head down and focus on the stuff that you can control.”
